ROCK HILL, SC – With the college baseball season just two weeks away, the 2013 Winthrop Eagles have been preparing hard for its 56-game schedule that gets underway with a weekend series against Maryland Eastern Shore, Feb. 15-17.
 
Season tickets for the 30-game home season are still available by calling the Winthrop ticket office at 803-323-2345 or by visiting the Winthrop web site at www.winthropeagles.com. 
 
With opening day less than two weeks away, Winthrop head coach Tom Riginos says  the  36-man squad isn't necessarily looking directly at that opening series.  “We aren't looking at Feb. 15.  We don't count the days, we make today count;” he said before heading out on the field for a recent practice.
 
With 21 players returning from last season, including 10 seniors and 5 captains (Matt Lobacz, Matt Pierpont, Eric Ruth, Max Vogel, and junior Lieghton Daniels), Riginos seems happy with where the team is mentally  as the season approaches. 
 
The Winthrop coach is excited about the depth that returns on the mound.  “With the depth that we have this year, we are going to be able to have more defined roles with our pitching staff,” said Riginos.  Winthrop fans can look forward to the starting trio of  senior right-handers Pierpont, Ruth and Tyler Klitsch, junior right-hander Michael Green, and freshmen right-handers Joey Strain, Kaden Hepler, and Zach Sightler.  Pierponet, Klitsch and Ruth are the projected weekend starters for the Eagles this season.  Riginos is also looking for contributions on the mound from Sam Kmiec, Mitchell Knox, Josh Strong, Ryan Owens, Jared Keels, and Steven Howell .
The leading returning position players include outfielder TJ Olesczuk, shortstop Jason Driver, first baseman Lobacz, and third baseman Daniels.
  
Several newcomers will be competing for positions this spring.  They include Kyle Edwards(infield), slugger Steven Wallace(infield), freshman Michael Patrick (outfield), junior college transfer Cody Dolan(outfield/1B), and redshirt freshman Tyler Asbill(infield).
 
In order for this team to improve on last season's 17-35 finish, Riginos believes the Eagles must  be better mentally, improve offensively, and focus on “winning each pitch.”   He feels the competition for playing time will prove to be an asset for this team.  “It's going to come down to those last few days of spring practice for me to make some decisions because we are evaluating everyday,” he said
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Riginos has high expectations for this team and this season.  He also expects that anyone who comes out to the ballpark will see some exciting baseball.  “You are going to see an exciting brand of baseball.  They are going to hustle.  They are going to play hard.  They are going to play with energy.”
 
The season unofficially kicks off with the sold out First Pitch Dinner on Feb. 10. Former Atlanta Brave All-Star Chipper Jones will be the the keynote speaker.
 
Season tickets for the 30-game home season are still available by calling the Winthrop ticket office at 803-323-2345 or by visiting the Winthrop web site at